Troubled Thorpe puts career on hold

Graham Thorpe last night ended speculation about his immediate playing future by announcing that he is to take a complete break from the game at county and Test level. It follows his decision two weeks ago to call a permanent halt to his one-day international career. He insisted, though, that he was not retiring from the game.

Thorpe's lack of form and state of mind was the one cloud overshadowing England's joy at beating India yesterday. While the celebrations went on around him the Surrey left-hander was seen deep in conversation with the England coach, Duncan Fletcher, on the England dressing room balcony at Lord's. The strain that Thorpe has been under lately was evident; at stake was his cricket career.

Thorpe then announced his intention to take a break. "This has been a very difficult decision as I have enjoyed being a part of the Surrey and England dressing rooms this summer and I have every intention of continuing my career," he said. "But I am feeling very worn down and burnt out by events off the field which have become a major distraction for me and prevented me from focusing fully on my cricket."

It is a decision that was not unexpected given the turmoil that the Surrey player has experienced in his personal life. He is estranged from his wife, Nicky, who is reported to have struck up a relationship with Kieron Vorster, a South African fitness trainer. He is worried about future access to his children Henry, 5, and Amelia, 3. He would also have been hit hard by the recent death of Surrey colleague Ben Hollioake. The accumulation of all these issues has left Thorpe, who will be 33 on Thursday, bereft of form.

"What I am planning to do now is take a break so I can make my children the No 1 priority in my life, and give myself more time to re-adjust to my changed domestic circumstances. Retirement is definitely not on my mind... I feel I have plenty more cricket in me at the highest level."

Thorpe, who missed the tour to South Africa two winters ago and returned early from India last winter, is a centrally contracted player. A spokesman for the England and Wales Cricket Board said last night: "We are sympathetic and will give Graham all the support we can, but there are contractual issues which have to be addressed and we will be speaking to Surrey."